Dr. Steve Albanese Pastor

Pastor Steve Albanese began his ministry at First Baptist Church on Father's Day of 2001. He answered the call with the conviction that God had issued three basic mandates for ministry at First Baptist. 

First, he was to lead the church into a time of deeper unity and fellowship. That both "new comers" and "old timers" would worship and work for the living God in a spirit of harmony.  

Second, that the church family would grow in its ability and desire to reach the growing community and to disciple all who respond in faith.

Third, that the church would enter into a building program that would meet the needs of the ministry well into the 21st century.

Great progress has been made on all fronts. First, the church is at peace with itself, its God and its purpose. Second, over 400 people have joined the church since that first Father's Day in 2001. And third, a new 500 seat worship center with 10 new pre-school classrooms was completed in July 2006

In the future, strategic plans are being made for the next five years of ministry. These plans call on the power of God to transform people into those that glorify God and build the church so that this goal will be accomplished.

As a family man, the Pastor is devoted to his wife of 24 years, Lynne. Lynne is a gifted Bible teacher, enjoys praising her Lord in the music ministry and has a genuine love for people. Pastor Albanese is also committed to his two children. Stephanie, is a senior at Auburn University . John, 13, is a 7th grader. Anyone who observed the Albanese family would witness a family alive in its faith.

The Pastor was born on December 16, 1954 and born again June 1975. He was disciple in the ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ at the University of South Carolina where he graduated with a BS in Business Administration in 1977. He later was ordained at FBC, North Augusta, SC, on August 1982. He holds a Master's of Divinity Degree, majoring in Biblical Studies, from the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, class of 1982. Also, he received his Doctor of Ministry Degree from the Trinity Evangelical Divinity School of Deerfield, Ill. in  1995

With nearly 25 years of ministry experience as Pastor, Dr. Albanese is ready to serve his Lord in the Greater Gray area. First Baptist Church is delighted to invite you to share in his ministry with us. 

 Barry Collins:  Pastor of Worship
PERSONAL INFORMATION                                       

Barry was born in Toccoa, Ga., September 14, 1963. He was active in the music department of Stephens County Schools 
beginning in the 4th grade.

After graduating high school in 1981, he attended Truett- McConnell College where he met Kim Hinson. Barry and Kim graduated from Truett-McConnell in 1983. The following year, Barry attended Shorter College, Rome, Ga. while Kim attended Berry College, Rome, Ga. They both graduated from college in 1985 and were married on September 28, 1985. Kim received her Bachelor of Science in Education degree. Barry received his Bachelor of Church Music degree.

In 1988, Barry and Kim moved to Fort Worth, Texas where he attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

On May 10, 1989, Barry and Kim were given the honor of becoming the proud parents of Joshua Neal Collins.

After Barry graduated from the seminary in 1991, with a Master of Music degree, the Collins family returned to Georgia.

Barry has been involved in music since 1973. He began his music ministry in 1980.

The Collins family moved to Gray, Ga. in the fall of 2001, when Barry became the Minister of Music, Missions and Community Ministries of First Baptist Church. Kim teaches second grade at the Springdale Elementary School in Macon, Ga. and Josh attends Jones County High School. Josh will be attending Harrington School of design in Chicago, Il beginning July 9, 2007 

Degrees: Master of Music, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth TX. 1991
Bachelor of Church Music, Voice Concentration, Shorter College, Rome, Ga. 1985.
Associates Degree, Truett-McConnell College, Cleveland Ga. 1983

Licensed to the ministry by Hopewell Baptist Church, Canton, Ga. 1993
Ordained to the Gospel Ministry by First Baptist Church, Gray, Ga. 2003   

Jason (Jase) Dorriety : Pastor to Students
PERSONAL INFORMATION
           

STATEMENT OF FAITH: I believe the Bible is the infallible truth of our God. In believing that I believe Jesus was the one and only Son of God and through Him is the only way to get to the Heavenly Father and therefore eternal life. These are the beliefs that my life is build upon.

Jason was born in Florence, S. C. on May 17, 1981. After graduating from West Florence High School in 1999, he attended Clemson University where he served as their treasurer (2001-2002) and as President his senior year. (2002-2003)

After graduating from Clemson in 2003 with a degree in Financial Management, Jason went to work for Armstrong Wealth Management in his home town of Florence until the time he felt God calling him into full-time ministry. In January of 2004, Jason entered Columbia Biblical Seminary to began pursuing a Masters of Divinity.

On February 20, 2005, Jason was called to serve as Pastor of Students here at First Baptist. His passion is to teach youth of all ages what it means to have an intimate relationship and live it out daily.

Jason married his wife, Ann Harmon Dorriety on July 22, 2006. They met while attending Clemson's FCA and working together with the youth group at the nearby First Baptist Church in Easley, S. C. Ann is an English teacher at Jones County High School. Jason and Ann Truly delight in serving the Lord together through the student ministry at First Baptist Church.

Licensed to the Ministry by Ebenezer Baptist Church, Florence, SC. in 2005. Ordained to the Gospel Ministry by Ebenezer Baptist Church, Florence, S. C. in 2005

Jason invites all youth and their parents to join Ann and him in pursuing Christ here at First Baptist Church.